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The dreaded sophomore slump. High school kids experience it. Athletes experience it. And you bet yer ass bands experience it. Remember how much you loved 3 Feet High And Rising? How much do you love De La Soul Is Dead? What about Elastica’s second record? Or that mess Terence Trent D’arby crowned Neither Fish Nor Flesh? Sometimes it’s even chalked up as a sophomore slump when the followup is better. (Pinkerton anyone?). Of course, some dropoff is to be expected. Many bands have years to fine-tune the songs on their debuts, but the follow up is often a rush job designed to capitalize on some buzz, and too often sounds like it.

Philadelphia’s Jukebox the Ghost is doing all the right things (short of burning sage) to ensure their second record doesn’t end up in the cutouts by Christmas. The upcoming Yep Roc release, Everything Under the Sun, was produced by terminally cool producer Peter Katis (Interpol, The National, Fanfarlo), and the tunes the band brought to the table were honed on the road via aggressive touring with the likes of Ben Folds, Adam Green and Ra Ra Riot. Songs were arranged, broken down and arranged again. Rinse and repeat, until all three members were completely satisfied. Then, and only then, did they roll tape.

Everything Under The Sun arrives in stores on September 7th, but lead single Empire is here for the taking. And to put some skin in the game, MOKB is also pleased to premiere the slice-and-diceFreelance Whales remix of Empire.